Improvement in apparatus for lowering coffins into graves



J. W. MOCASLI-N. Apparatus for Lowering Coffins into Graves.

No. 202,359. Patented April 16, I878.

N4 PETERS, PHUTO LiTHOGHAPH UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

JAMES W. MOCASLIN, OF VINTON, IOWA.

' IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR LOWERING COFFINS INTO GRAVES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 202,359, dated April 16, 1878; application filed March 1 8, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. MCOASLIN, of Vinton, Iowa, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for Lowering Ooffins into Graves, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lowerin g device. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device folded up.

The object of my invention is to provide a suit-able and perfectly simple and conyenient arrangement by which a coffin may be readily lowered into the coffin-box or other receptacle at the bottom of the grave, thus avoiding the necessity of the pall-bearers having to perform this duty and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the exact manner in which I have carried it out.

In the drawings, A represents an upright or support, broad or spreading toward its base, and having suitable braces to strengthen and steady it. Sliding legs are attached to the lower portion, which, by means of the thumb-screws, can be extended or drawn up, so that the device may be adjusted to sloping ground, if need be.

A second upright, a, is hinged at a to the cross-beam B, which beam is hinged to the support A by means of a metal rod passing horizontally through the upper extremity of said support. This framework is held in position by the braces or arms I) I), which are pivoted to one end of the cross-beam B by a pin or bolt running through them. They can be controlled or drawn back and forth by the small rods b b, which are jointed "to their other ends, and fastened to the support A by catches a.

Secured to the upright A, as on an ordinary derrick, 1 have placed a simple Windlass, to, composed of a drum or spool and crank, as shown in the drawings. Two cords, O and o, are connected with the drum and carried to the top of the device, the end of the cord 0, with its anchor, dropping downward from the pulley D, and the cord 0 continuing on past this point to the pulley d, and from there dropping its anchor. It must be longer than the cord 0, so as to allow for the distance between the pulleys D and d. 7

To operate the device, simply place it firmly lengthwise with the grave and directly over it, and secure it in position by catching the notches in the arms 11 b over the hooks on the sides of the support A. Then, after fastening the anchors to the coffin, turn the crank first a little to the right and lift the coffin; then reverse the turning of the crank, and lower the coffin into the grave.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The movable folding derrick, composed of the uprights A A, provided with extensible feet, cross-support B, upright a, diagonal braces b b, supporting-rods b b, Windlass w, cords O c, and catches a, all constructed, arranged, and operated as and for the purposes set forth.

JAMES W. MCCASLIN.

Witnesses A. HAINES, H. M. HORN. 

